Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-07-15

sentative citizens OF St. Louis who YER
bally extended, some weeks ago, an in
vitation to the President to visit this city
during the holding of the Grand Army
encampment IN September next:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WaSHIHGroN, July !. lsS7.
Hon. David +. Frances. MayOriand Chairman:
My DEAR SIR: When l received the
extremely cordial and gratifying invita-
ton from the citizens OF st. Louis ten
dered by some Of her representative men
to visit that city during The national en-
campment Of the Grand Army OF the Re
public, | had been contemplating for
some time the acceptance Of IN invita-
ton from that organization TO the same
effect ana had considered the pleasure
which it you'd &EJri me il it should be
possible TO meet, not only the members
of the Grand Army, but the people
of ST. Louis and other cit
les in the west, which the
occasion would give me 81 opportunity
to visit.The eXaCtion5 oiimy public duties,
felt 10 be uncertain, SO that when first
confronted by the delegation CT which
you were the head | expected to do 10
more at that time than TO promise the
consideration Of the double invitation
rendered me and express the pleasure it
would give me to accept the same here
after If possible. But the cordially and
sincerity of your presentation reinforced
by the heartiness of the people VINO sur
rounded you so impressed me that l
could not resist the feeling which
prompted me 10 assure you or
the spot that I would be with
you and the Grand Army Of the Republic
st the time designated, il nothing hap
peEed in the meantime to absolutely pre-
vent nay leaving Washington. Immedi-
stely upon the public announcement OF
this conclusion expressions emangtiDg
from certain important members OF the
Grard Army Of the Republic and iGcreas-
ing IN viTulence and violence constrained
me to review the acceptance Of the inyi-
TIT On. The expression referred to goes
to the extent Of declaring that | would be
an unWelcCEe guest ct the time snd
place OF :he national encampment.
This statement is based, as well
as l can Judge, upon certain ofliCia!
acts of mine involving important
public interezt done under the restraint
and obligation of my oath Of Office, which
do not appear to accord with the wishes
Of some members Of the Grand Army Of
the Republic. refuse 70 believe that
this organization, founded upon patriotic
ideas, composed very largely of men en-
titled TO lasting honor and consideration,
and whose crowniEg glory it should be,
that they as American citizens as well as
veteran soldiers deem il no part Of its
mission to compass any object or pur-
pose by attempting to intimidate the eX-
ecutive, or COeTCe those VINO are charged
with making and executing the laws, and
the expressions to which I have
referred indicate such prevalence of un-
friendly feeling and such menace to an
occasion which should be harmonious,
peaceful and cordial that they cannot be
ignored. l beg you to understand thsJ
am not conscious of any act Of mine
which should make me fear to meet the
Grand Army Of the Republic or any other
assemblsge of my fellow citizens. The
account OF ny official stewardship is al
WAYS ready for presentation TO nv Coun-
trymen. / should not be frank if failed
to confess while disClaimIng all resent
ment that l have been hurt by the
unworthy snd wanton attacks upon me
growing out Of this matter and the reck-
less manner in which my actions and
motives have been misrepresented, both
publicly and privately, for which, how
ever, the Grand Army Ct the Republic as
body is by no means responsible. The
threats OF personal violence and harm in
case l should undertake the trip in ques-
ton, which scores Of misguided, unbal-
arCed men, under the stimulation OF eX-
cited feeling, have made, ere not even
1 considered. Rather than abandon nv
! visit to the west and disapPOint your
citizens [ might, If l alone were con
cerned, submit to the insult which
ii is quite openly asserted 7 would
be helplesslv subjected 10 if present
NJ the enCampment, but / should besT
with me there the peoples highest Of
/ fee. the dignity of which l must protect,
sad l believe that neither the Grand
Army Of the Republic, IS 81 organization,
4 nor anything like 3 me- oTity Of its meE-
1 beTs, would ever encourage Gny scandal.
/ Gus attack upon il. If, however, among
/ the membership Of this body there are
| some, as certainly seems TO be the case,
| determined to dcGounCe ne and my Off
/ cial acts at the national encampment,
/ believe they should be permitted TO do
SO unrestrained By my presence as &
guest Of their organization, or
as g guest of the hospitable city
! in which their meeting is held. a num-
! Der of grand army posts have signifed
/ their intention, am informed, to remain
away from the encsmpment in case visit
! the city ct that time. Without consider
! ing the merit of such an excuse, I feel
! that l ought not to be the cause of such
non-attendance. The time and place Of
! tho epcamnmpnt were fixed long before
nv invitations were received. Those dc.
string to participate in its proceedings
should be first regarded and nothing
| should be permitted TO interfere with theiI
intention. Another consideration OF more
Importance than all others remains TO be
noticed. The fact was referred to ov yor
when you verbally presented the invita-
ton of citizens of ST. Louis. that tbs
coming encampment Of the Grand Army
of the Republic would be the first held in
8 southern state. suppose this fact va:
mentioned as pleasing indication Of the
fraternsl feeling fsst gaming GROUND
throughout the entire land, and hailed BY
every patriotic citizen IS an earnest de
sire that the Union has really and in fac
been saved in sentiment end spirit witt
all the benefit il vouchsafeS TO g uniteC
people. I cannot rid myself Of the be
lief that the lesst discord on thi
propitious occasion might retsr;
the progress of 8 sentiment Of common
brotherhood which the Grand Army 0
the Republic is given good opportunit.
to increase and foster. certainly ough
not be the cause of such discord in an.
event or upon any pretext. 1t seems t
me that you and the citizens of st. Loui